Center for Crop Diversification Crop Profile CCD-CP-87

Bell Peppers Cheryl Kaiser1 and Matt Ernst2 Introduction Although bell pepper ( annuum) is a warm- season annual when grown in temperate regions, it is actually an herbaceous perennial when cultivated in tropical areas, such as its native Latin America. Bell pep- pers are considered “sweet” since they lack the pungent chemical () present in hot peppers.

Marketing Peppers are grown in Kentucky primarily for fresh market sales. Fresh market options include roadside stands, local wholesalers and retailers, wholesale mar- kets, farmers markets, community supported agricul- ture (CSA) subscriptions, produce auctions, restaurants and institutional foodservice. Bell peppers were one of the top three fresh with acreage increases in Kentucky during the early 2000s. In the past Kentucky fresh bell peppers from Canada, and Europe to farmers also grew considerable acreages of peppers for satisfy increasing consumer demand. processing, but that ended when the processing compa- nies closed or moved out-of-state. Production Considerations Variety selection Market Outlook Bell pepper varieties differ in such horticultural traits as Bell pepper use per year increased in the U.S. from 8 size, shape (e.g. blocky versus elongated), number pounds per capita in 2000 to just under 11 pounds per of lobes, flavor and disease resistance. Standard green person in 2014. Per capita use remained around 11 bell varieties typically ripen to red when left on the plant pounds per person through 2017. Greenhouse-grown long enough; however, specialty bell peppers include peppers imported from other countries have increased varieties that ripen to colors other than red. These spe- year-round supplies for U.S. consumers. Although con- cialty bells may be yellow, orange, brown, white, and sumption increases have slowed since the early 2000s, even purple at maturity. Compared to green bell peppers, fresh bell peppers (including organic peppers) remain a colored bells are more difficult and expensive to produce growth category for produce growers in Kentucky and because a longer time to maturity is required. Growers nationwide. California and Florida domi- should select only adapted varieties that nate fresh bell pepper production, produc- have the qualities in demand for the in- ing about 80 percent of annual volumes. tended market. Due to the prevalence of Other major producers include Georgia, bacterial leaf spot in Kentucky, only hy- Michigan, New Jersey, North Carolina brid varieties with leaf spot resistance are and Ohio. The U.S. continues importing www.uky.edu/CCD recommended for commercial production.

1Cheryl Kaiser is a former Extension Associate with the Center for Crop Diversification. 2Matt Ernst is an independent contractor with the Center for Crop Diversification. Cooperative Extension Service | Agriculture and Natural Resources | Family and Consumer Sciences | 4-H Youth Development | Community and Economic Development While resistance to bacterial leaf spot has helped reduce determine when and how often insecticides should be losses to this devastating disease, new races of the patho- applied. Controlling weeds will also aid in disease and gen have been isolated to which there is currently no re- insect pest control. Herbicides, plastic mulch and a good sistance. rotation system can help control weeds. Growing bell peppers to full maturity will also increase their exposure Site selection and planting and susceptibility to anthracnose; rain shelters or high Bell peppers grow best in deep, fertile, well-drained tunnels can help reduce incidence of this important fun- soils at a pH of 6.5-7.0. Avoid planting in low-lying gal disease. fields next to creeks and rivers since these sites are sub- ject to high humidity and moisture conditions and there- Nutrient management fore especially prone to bacterial spot epidemics. Pro- An annual soil test is recommended before planting in ducers should also avoid fields where long-residual corn order to establish how much potassium and or soybean herbicides have been used, since herbicide is needed for the future crop. Soil samples should be col- carryover can cause serious injury to peppers. lected three to six months prior to planting in case lime is needed to raise the soil pH. A soil pH between 6.5 Pepper fields should be located as far away from tobacco and 7.0 is optimal. When growing in the field or in soil, plantings as possible due to potential spread of aphid- apply all the necessary phosphorus and potassium and vectored viruses from tobacco to peppers. It is also ad- half of the required nitrogen for the season before plant- visable not to grow peppers after other solanaceous crops ing. Refer to UK’s ID-36 for more detailed fertilization (such as tobacco, tomatoes, potatoes and eggplants) or instructions. vine crops (such as cucumbers, melons, etc.) for a period of three years since all of these crops are susceptible to Blossom end rot is a common abiotic problem in pep- some of the same diseases. Peppers do extremely well pers. Abiotic means that the problem is not caused by a following fescue sod. living organism such as a bacterium or fungus; it is usu- ally nutritional or environment-related. Blossom end rot Growing hybrid bell pepper varieties in double rows on is a result of insufficient calcium in the developing pep- raised beds covered with black plastic mulch and drip per fruit. Symptoms appear at the bottom or blossom- irrigation has resulted in high yields of excellent quality end of the fruit as a soft, sunken, dark area. Fruit then peppers in Kentucky. This double row system will re- become unmarketable. Blossom end rot may mean that quire approximately 14,500 transplants per acre depend- there is deficient calcium in the soil. However, it can also ing on in-row spacing. While many growers choose a 12- commonly be the result of poor water management with inch in-row spacing, those with markets for extra-large long or frequent periods of drought stress on the plant, or jumbo peppers generally space plants farther apart which means that calcium cannot be transported to the (from 15 to 18 inches within the row). A bed shaper/plas- developing fruit. Excessive nitrogen fertilization may tic layer and a setter that will transplant through plastic also contribute to blossom end rot. Maintain sufficient are essential for this production system, as well as an calcium content in the soil (through annual soil testing) adequate water source for irrigation. and an optimal irrigation schedule.

Pest management Harvest and storage Bacterial spot remains a serious risk to pepper plantings Green bell peppers are hand-harvested for fresh market in many parts of the state. It is recommended that all when they are at the mature green stage. Colored or spe- Kentucky growers use resistant varieties and follow a cialty bell peppers are allowed to fully ripen on the plant. copper-plus-maneb preventative spray regimen. Grow- Colored peppers generally weigh more than green fruit. ers should also be extremely careful when growing or Fruit must be handled carefully to prevent skin breakage purchasing transplants from out-of-state. Transplants in- and punctures that could lead to decay. Cooling peppers fected with bacterial leaf spot can result in total losses. to 45-50ºF as soon as possible after harvest will extend Other diseases that may result in crop losses include their shelf life. Once the fruit is cooled, peppers can be Phytophthora blight, viruses, anthracnose fruit rot and stored for two to three weeks under the proper condi- bacterial soft rot. The most important insect pest of pep- tions. Peppers are usually packed in 11/9-bushel waxed pers is the European corn borer. Using pheromone traps corrugated cartons (33 pounds), or according to the pref- or scouting to monitor populations can help the grower erence of your particular market/buyer. Labor requirements Production will require approximately 25 hours per acre, while harvest requires 125 hours per acre. Grading and packing require another 75 hours per acre. Black plas- tic removal (post-harvest) will require an additional 10 hours per acre. Currently there are no good options for recycling black plastic in Kentucky so it will need to be disposed of. A plastic roller that reels up the plastic and drip tape can reduce the volume that requires disposal.

Economic Considerations Initial investments include land preparation and the pur- chase of seed or transplants. Additional start-up costs can include the installation of an irrigation system and black plastic mulch. Production costs for 1,500 boxes (11/9-bushel) of fresh market bell peppers (trickle irri- Selected Resources gated) are estimated at $4,815 per acre, with harvest and • IPM Scouting Guide for Common Pests of Solana- marketing costs at $8,750 per acre. Total costs per acre, ceous Crops in Kentucky, ID-172 (University of Ken- including both variable and fixed costs, are approximate- tucky, 2008) 2 MB file ly $14,600. http://www.ca.uky.edu/agc/pubs/id/id172/id172.pdf • Kentucky Pepper Integrated Crop Management Since returns vary depending on actual yields and mar- (University of Kentucky, 2000) ket prices, the following returns to land and management https://ipm.ca.uky.edu/files/ipm13pep.pdf are based on three different economic scenarios. Each • and Melon Budgets (University of Ken- large-scale scenario assumes a $600 owner-operator la- tucky, 2017) http://www.uky.edu/ccd/tools/budgets bor cost. Conservative estimates represent the Univer- • Vegetable Production Guide for Commercial Grow- sity of Kentucky’s statewide cost and return estimates ers, ID-36 (University of Kentucky) http://www2. for 2017 assuming a price of $10 per box. ca.uky.edu/agcomm/pubs/ID/ID36/ID36.pdf • Bell Pepper Cultivar Evaluation, Central Kentucky Return to land and management, fresh market (University of Kentucky Extension PR-739, 2017 Fruit Pessimistic Conservative Optimistic and Vegetable Research Report, pgs. 28-30) http:// $(1,660)* $(188) $3,163 www2.ca.uky.edu/agc/pubs/PR/PR688/PR688.pdf Podcast *Parentheses indicate a negative number, i.e. a net loss • Value-added Pepper Products (University of Kentucky, 2014) http://www.uky.edu/ccd/sites/www. Small-scale bell pepper production for direct marketing uky.edu.ccd/files/peppers.mp3 can be profitable for producers able to obtain premium prices. Production budgets for Kentucky, in 2017, esti- mated a $250 return above variable costs and returns to Suggested Citation: land, capital and management of $180 per 100-foot row Kaiser, C. and M. Ernst. (2018). Bell Peppers. CCD-CP-87. of bell peppers. The small-scale estimates included 20 Lexington, KY: Center for Crop Diversification, University boxes of peppers sold at an equivalent of $30 per box. of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment. Small-scale production costs may vary widely, depend- Available: http://www.uky.edu/ccd/sites/www.uky.edu.ccd/files/ ing on the farm situation and production practices. bellpeppers.pdf

Reviewed by Rachel Rudolph, UK Extension Vegetable Specialist, and Brent Rowell, UK Extension Specialist, International & Sustainable Agriculture Photos courtesy of Pixabay.com May 2018 For additional information, contact your local County Extension agent Educational programs of Kentucky Cooperative Extension serve all people regardless of economic or social status and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, creed, religion, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information, age, veteran status, or physical or mental disability.